Albania offers scholarships for African students. Albania has become a budget-friendly option for international students in Europe by 2026. It has high-quality schools and a low cost of living. The country doesn’t have as many large “full-ride” quotas as some of its neighbours, but it does give targeted financial aid through government agreements, regional exchange programmes, and private university merit grants.
1. Scholarships for foreigners from the Albanian government
Albania’s Ministry of Education and Sports gives out a limited number of scholarships to international students, usually to students from countries with which Albania has bilateral educational agreements.
Benefits and Coverage These scholarships are mostly for college and university students. They usually have:
- Tuition Fee Waiver: Full coverage of tuition at public universities, such as the University of Tirana.
- Monthly Stipend: A small amount of money to help with living costs in the area.
- Housing: free or low-cost housing in university dorms.
- Language Prep: For programmes taught in Albanian, the scholarship usually comes with a required one-year language course.
2026 Application Process The Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Albanian Embassy in your home country usually handles applications. The call for applications for the 2026/2027 school year usually comes out in late spring or early summer.
2. Merit Scholarships from Epoka University
Epoka University is a top private school in Tirana that is very popular with international students because it offers English courses and has a well-organised scholarship system.
Master’s Merit Scholarships (2026): For the 2026 school year, Epoka will give master’s applicants tuition discounts based on their undergraduate CGPA.
- CGPA 9.50 to 10.00: 30% to 40% off tuition.
- CGPA 10.00 (or the same) or higher: up to 40% off.
- Bachelor’s Alumni: Students who graduate from Epoka with a bachelor’s degree can get up to 50% off if they are the best in their program.
- Deadline: April 30, 2026, is the last day to apply for the 2026 master’s scholarship cycle.
Epoka offers full (100%) and partial (75% and 50%) undergraduate merit scholarships to bachelor’s students based on their high school GPA and entrance exam scores. People who have a high school average of 9.0/10 or higher can apply.
3. CEEPUS and Erasmus+ Mobility
European mobility frameworks, of which Albania is an active member, provide the most financial support to African students already enrolled in partner schools.
- Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility lets students from partner universities in Africa live in Albania for 3 to 12 months. In 2026, these exchange students will get about €850 a month, plus a travel grant.
- CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Program): CEEPUS is mostly for students and teachers in Central and South-Eastern Europe, but it also supports academic exchange between these two areas. You can apply for a fully funded stay at an Albanian university if you are studying in a member country.
4. Global Partnerships in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans Fund (WBF) and other regional groups sometimes give money for “Move Grants” or research projects. These are not full-degree scholarships, but they are ideal for short-term research stays, workshops, or summer schools in Tirana or Durrës.
5. Papers Needed for 2026
If you want to be a competitive candidate in Albania, you need to have your documents ready in either English or Albanian (notarised translations are required).
- Academic Transcripts: Records from high school or college that show a high GPA (usually 8.5/10 or higher for scholarships).
- Proof of English Proficiency: If you want to study in English at Epoka or the University of Tirana, you need to have an IELTS (6.0+) or TOEFL score.
- Motivation Letter: Telling us about your academic goals and your interest in Albanian culture.
- Copy of your passport: valid for at least two years.
- Medical Certificate: A general health statement that includes tests for HIV and Hepatitis, which are required for student visa applications.
6. Strategic Tips for African Applicants
First, look for programmes that teach English. If you’re not willing to spend a year learning Albanian, you should only look at Epoka University or the University of New York Tirana (UNYT). Both are private, English-speaking schools with strong scholarship programmes for talented students from other countries.
The “Early Bird” Advantage: Private universities in Albania often give out scholarships on a “first-come, first-served” basis to qualified students. The best time to apply for admission is in March or April 2026, when you have the best chance of getting a high-percentage tuition waiver before the money runs out.
Cheap Living Costs Even with a 50% scholarship, Albania is one of Europe’s cheapest countries. In 2026, a student can live comfortably in Tirana for €350 to €500 a month, which is a lot less than in other EU countries. This includes rent and food.
Final Thoughts
In 2026, Albania will be a unique and welcoming place for African students. It will have European academic standards and a low cost of living. State scholarships need a formal nomination from the government, but merit-based grants at private schools like Epoka University are easy for high-achieving students to get. You can get a prestigious degree in a country that connects the Mediterranean and the Balkans by focusing on English-taught programs and getting there early by the April deadline.
Do you want to get a full degree in a field like civil engineering or business, or do you just want to do a short exchange semester through Erasmus+?